Bruins Offseason

cshea

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I think it'd make a little more sense to swap Hall for Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi is a bit younger and plays a similar game, though is not as good of a skater. Hall is also more expensive than Jake, at least for next season.

Jake's next contract, which is after next year, may be cost prohibitive but I'd keep him around for now. He's a relative bargain at $4 million. Hall at $6 million feels like more of a luxury item that can be trimmed. Then you can try to re-sign Bertuzzi at a number lower than $6 million and I don't think you've lost all that much.
 

Zososoxfan

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I think it'd make a little more sense to swap Hall for Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi is a bit younger and plays a similar game, though is not as good of a skater. Hall is also more expensive than Jake, at least for next season.

Jake's next contract, which is after next year, may be cost prohibitive but I'd keep him around for now. He's a relative bargain at $4 million. Hall at $6 million feels like more of a luxury item that can be trimmed. Then you can try to re-sign Bertuzzi at a number lower than $6 million and I don't think you've lost all that much.
You watch a lot more than I do, but I don't get the sense that Tuzzi and Hall are all that similar. Hall seems to be a playmaker that carries the puck into the zone and racks up assists, whereas Tuzzi is more of a net presence and shooting threat. Tuzzi is the more physical player, but Hall has comparable blocked shot numbers. Hall also has more giveaways and takeaways, which kind of fits into my 'playmaker' description.

Ultimately, I agree with you that Tuzzi at $4M might be a better contract than Hall at $6M, but I'd have to look at league-wide $/production numbers to feel comfortable with that assessment.
 

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SoSH's Doug Neidermeyer
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I think it'd make a little more sense to swap Hall for Bertuzzi. Bertuzzi is a bit younger and plays a similar game, though is not as good of a skater. Hall is also more expensive than Jake, at least for next season.

Jake's next contract, which is after next year, may be cost prohibitive but I'd keep him around for now. He's a relative bargain at $4 million. Hall at $6 million feels like more of a luxury item that can be trimmed. Then you can try to re-sign Bertuzzi at a number lower than $6 million and I don't think you've lost all that much.
Hall is harder to trade with a 16 team NTC.

Not saying I disagree, just saying it's harder.
 

Salem's Lot

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It really all depends on the number that Bertuzzi thinks he can get on the market. If he thinks he’s a $7 million AAV guy then forget about that. If it’s $4, then yes sign that and try to move Hall.
 

wiffleballhero

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In the simulacrum
I don't think Bertuzzi's skating is going to age well. I could easily see him just not looking like he can keep up sooner rather than later.

Yes, his passing, hands and vision are unreal, but IDK about those legs.
 

Scoops Bolling

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I have no desire to ever watch Tyler Bertuzzi in a Bruins uniform again. He is a poor defender prone to making costly turnovers in his own zone (the behind the back into the center of the ice in his own zone passes were beyond infuriating), he doesn't skate well, and his physicality is more "chippy" than it is powerful (Hall is much more capable along the boards or below the net and fighting through traffic). He is a brilliant passser and has excellent instincts in the zone and around the net, but he did not impress me as a shooter. Add in the off ice the factors, and he seems like a guy who will be overpaid with the potential to be a longterm millstone of a contract.

If Bergeron and Krecji do not return, I would look at trading Marchand. Two years of control, below market contract with even lower real salary numbers ($6.125 cap, $4.5 real money), although like Hall he's got a 15 team NTC. It's definitely a downgrade from Marchand to Hall as LW1, but I think Marchand is the one piece who could command a premium return while also creating the cap space needed to fill out the roster.
 

Salem's Lot

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Marchand is turning 35 next week, he’s making over $6 million on the cap, and he just put up his lowest goal total since he was a rookie in a non-lockout year after coming off of hip surgery. That and his 8 team trade list would make a deal very difficult, and probably wouldn’t fetch much in the way of cap relief.
 

Dummy Hoy

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I loved this post until I got to here. I just don't want to see Marchand in another uniform.
Same. Brad Marchand should retire a Bruin, wear the C, and probably get 63 hung up. There’s more to sport than winning (and this leaves aside all reasons why he may not get the value in a deal that SL listed above); I can respect someone being cold blooded enough to make the move, but I think what you get from keeping him is more than worth doing so.
 

Zososoxfan

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It really all depends on the number that Bertuzzi thinks he can get on the market. If he thinks he’s a $7 million AAV guy then forget about that. If it’s $4, then yes sign that and try to move Hall.
This is probably the most important factor in the Hall/Bertuzzi discussion. And just based on previous FAs, I think Tuz will price himself outta Boston. Good for him, I liked watching him play and having him on the team.
 

soup17

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In today’s Globe Hockey Notes, KPD suggested a trade of McAvoy, Ullmark, and DeBrusk for the #1 pick. It would clear $18.5M in cap space also. I hated it at first but I now I don’t know. Which team would say no?
 

katnado

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In today’s Globe Hockey Notes, KPD suggested a trade of McAvoy, Ullmark, and DeBrusk for the #1 pick. It would clear $18.5M in cap space also. I hated it at first but I now I don’t know. Which team would say no?
Chicago laughs and hangs up. Even if the world ends and they didn't, creating more holes In a roster full of them isn't a good strategy even if you're also getting Beddard.
 

Salem's Lot

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In today’s Globe Hockey Notes, KPD suggested a trade of McAvoy, Ullmark, and DeBrusk for the #1 pick. It would clear $18.5M in cap space also. I hated it at first but I now I don’t know. Which team would say no?
That proposal is dumb on a few different levels.

No team is taking on that much money in a flat cap year.

On what planet would Chicago give up a cost controlled 18 year old potential franchise player for a goalie, a defenseman making $9.5 million for the next 7 years, and a forward going into UFA after next year.

Also, the Bruins aren’t trading a guy that they just gave an 8 year deal to.

I think it’s time for KPD to hang up his typewriter and go fishing.
 

John Marzano Olympic Hero

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That proposal is dumb on a few different levels.

No team is taking on that much money in a flat cap year.

On what planet would Chicago give up a cost controlled 18 year old potential franchise player for a goalie, a defenseman making $9.5 million for the next 7 years, and a forward going into UFA after next year.

Also, the Bruins aren’t trading a guy that they just gave an 8 year deal to.

I think it’s time for KPD to hang up his typewriter and go fishing.
Yeah. The game has passed Dupes by.

I am glad that he stopped his one man crusade of calling TD Garden “The Vault”. It was so dumb.
 

Salem's Lot

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What is it with this team and constantly being beat up every playoff season?
It’s just part of the incredible amount of luck that it takes to win in the playoffs in a league with a hard cap, and a game played with goalies, bouncing pucks, and human officials.
 

catomatic

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It’s just part of the incredible amount of luck that it takes to win in the playoffs in a league with a hard cap, and a game played with goalies, bouncing pucks, and human officials.
You forgot human coaches. To wit; I was assured by Jeremy Swayman’s cousin tonight that he was rested, fully healthy and ready to go. Monty Little, ignoring the evidence right in front of him, refused to remove an ineffective starter and go to a clearly better option.
 

katnado

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You forgot human coaches. To wit; I was assured by Jeremy Swayman’s cousin tonight that he was rested, fully healthy and ready to go. Monty Little, ignoring the evidence right in front of him, refused to remove an ineffective starter and go to a clearly better option.
We talked to Swayman's father prior to Game 5. He was always ready to go. Monty's stubbornness was always why he didn't play. Also according to his dad he was told after G6 he was starting G7. Which means there was again absolutely no reason he didn't play in G6 aside from Monty's stupidity.
 

catomatic

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We talked to Swayman's father prior to Game 5. He was always ready to go. Monty's stubbornness was always why he didn't play. Also according to his dad he was told after G6 he was starting G7. Which means there was again absolutely no reason he didn't play in G6 aside from Monty's stupidity.
Father knows best… Linus could barely raise himself off the ice after dropping to make a save. His lateral movement was obviously slower and I struggle to recall any ten bell saves he came up with at any point during the series. Agonizing to watch that travesty unfolding in slow motion and be powerless to do anything about it.
 

Haunted

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Ol' "friend" Jimmy Murphy saying he's hearing the Bruins are close to a trade for RNH, possibly with Gryz+ going back out.


So I guess we can say that now there's zero chance of that happening.
 

LogansDad

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Father knows best… Linus could barely raise himself off the ice after dropping to make a save. His lateral movement was obviously slower and I struggle to recall any ten bell saves he came up with at any point during the series. Agonizing to watch that travesty unfolding in slow motion and be powerless to do anything about it.
The slow motion part of it was what hurts the most, I think. It was like torture.
 

cshea

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RNH just had a 100pt season.

Unless that + is like, DeBrusk or McAvoy, I see no way Gryz is leading a deal to acquire him.

Jimmy Murphy sucks.
It doesn't make any sense for a variety of reasons, but let's presume a credible person reported this. I personally wouldn't touch RNH, I wouldn't trade Grzelyck for him straight up. RNH is 30 years old and has 7 years left at $5.125 AAV. The cap hit is reasonable. but the length would scare me. The 104 points this year is by far his career hight. His previous high mark was 69 points over 82 games. Digging deeper, more than 50% or RNH's points this year came on the power play (53 points). 25 of those 53 points were secondary assists, not primary. In short, it's a lot of empty calories.

Now we can get into all the reasons why this particular rumor doesn't make sense. We'll start with the obvious salary cap angle. The Bruins need to shed money. This transaction adds ~$1.5 million to the cap sheet. I guess in a series of moves where they move other dudes out it could work but on the surface it makes no sense. Secondly, RNH has played mostly LW the past few years. From a roster POV, the Bruins deepest position is LW. They have Marchand and Hall plus potentially Zacha as LW depending on what happens with Bergeron and Krejci. Plus DeBrusk is a natural LW and could play there depending on what they do at RW. So, square peg, round hole. Then on the Edmonton side, they have Nurse and Ekholm on the left and need a lot of help on the right side of their defense. Grzelyck makes no sense from their POV either.

Even for a guy who makes a living charging (I can't believe people pay to read him and Haggs) people to read his made up rumors, nothing adds up or makes sense in it.
 

Scoops Bolling

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Goddamnit. I do not want to see Bertuzzi in a Bruins sweater ever again. I do not like him as a player, nor as a man. Keep him the fuck off my team.
 

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Goddamnit. I do not want to see Bertuzzi in a Bruins sweater ever again. I do not like him as a player, nor as a man. Keep him the fuck off my team.
I don’t understand this take at all.

Guy lead the Bruins in goals and points in the playoffs. Had incredible chemistry with Pastrnak. Seemingly fit in with the team from the jump.

Sure, he’s not a selke candidate. But it’s ok if not everyone on the team is incredible both ways. Bertuzzi is a good fit for this squad.
 

lexrageorge

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I don’t understand this take at all.

Guy lead the Bruins in goals and points in the playoffs. Had incredible chemistry with Pastrnak. Seemingly fit in with the team from the jump.

Sure, he’s not a selke candidate. But it’s ok if not everyone on the team is incredible both ways. Bertuzzi is a good fit for this squad.
Yea, Bertuzzi was hardly a problem. And nobody here knows how he is as a person.
 

Salem's Lot

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I would love to be able to retain Bertuzzi, but unless he’s willing to take a well below market deal, and Sweeney can manage to move a lot of money, I don’t see how the math could work to make it happen.
 

jk333

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He is but by all accounts is a great dude and teammate.
Agree, Larkin loved him.

I worry that like with RNH any contract for him, you’re signing up for a lot of years that are going to be as he regresses and he’s a secondary piece, not an elite guy. He did fit really well this year.

But even a shorter contract at reasonable dollars seems like a lateral move given that it costs someone. If this was next offseason he seems like a natural person to re-sign but they are just so cap pressed this year. Maybe the advanced metrics like him more than this but seems like you should expect 60 points for a couple years tailing toward 40 points as he gets into his 30s.
 

cshea

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Seravalli's trade board features a few Bruins:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/the-summer-of-chevy-winnipeg-jets-hellebuyck-scheifele-dubois-and-wheeler-join-trade-targets

11. Taylor Hall
14. Matt Grzelyck (with a mention of Carlo potentially going in the blurb)

Some of the particulars. Hall has 2 years left at a $6 million cap hit. He has a 10-team no trade. Total cash owed is $12.5 million including a $1 million bonus to be paid 7/1/23. Grzelcyk is entering the final year of his contract. His cap hit is $3.875 million and is owed $4.25 million in actual salary. He does not have any trade protection. Carlo has 4-years left at $4.1 million cap hit, $18.6 million in actual cash owed. He currently does not have any trade protection but gets a 10-team no list on 7/1.

It seems like it's shaping up to be a busy month.
 

The B’s Knees

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Assuming the B's sign Swayman and Frederic for a combined $6M (give or take), it leaves them with about $3.5M in cap space to fill something like 6-8 spots.
Assume they also buy out Reilly ($333K cap hit), and promote a few guys from the minors (some of Steen, Lauko, Lohrei, Merkulov, etc.) just to keep the payroll manageable.
I believe they still have to get rid of, at minimum, $5M in salary to be compliant.

And for any free agents (e.g. Bertuzzi), it will be dollar in, dollar out on top of that.

Something's gotta give - it'll be interesting to see how the summer plays out.
Whichever way, this team will look different from the one we saw from the trade deadline onward.
 

joe dokes

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Seravalli's trade board features a few Bruins:

https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/the-summer-of-chevy-winnipeg-jets-hellebuyck-scheifele-dubois-and-wheeler-join-trade-targets

11. Taylor Hall
14. Matt Grzelyck (with a mention of Carlo potentially going in the blurb)

Some of the particulars. Hall has 2 years left at a $6 million cap hit. He has a 10-team no trade. Total cash owed is $12.5 million including a $1 million bonus to be paid 7/1/23. Grzelcyk is entering the final year of his contract. His cap hit is $3.875 million and is owed $4.25 million in actual salary. He does not have any trade protection. Carlo has 4-years left at $4.1 million cap hit, $18.6 million in actual cash owed. He currently does not have any trade protection but gets a 10-team no list on 7/1.

It seems like it's shaping up to be a busy month.
I think I'd consider moving Hall to keep Bertuzzi (if circumstances make that an actual choice). On one hand, I understand that Hall has more skills. But for whatever reason, it didn't seem to translate into production the way Bertuzzi's skills did. Hall showed me much more than I ever expected at the defensive end, but Bertuzzi unlocked the offense in a way that Hall never really did and, *that* might be something they'll really need if Bergeron and Krejci -- two primary offensive unlockers -- both depart.
 

cshea

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Bertuzzi is 3 years younger than Hall. Swapping Hall for Bertuzzi makes a lot of sense. The hurdles as I see it:
  • Bertuzzi's contract. He's likely going to be the more expensive of the two from a salary standpoint.
  • Hall's trade market
Regarding Bertuzzi's contract, he's coming off a contract with a $4.75 million AAV. It's hard to see him coming in at less than $6 million (Hall's cap hit). So if they go down this road they are likely adding to the cap and will need to shed beyond Hall.

As far as moving Hall, I don't think they'd get a ton. This isn't specific to Hall but there isn't a lot of cap space available around the league. Given he has a 10-team no trade, we cam probably cross off the usual cap dump locations off. Finding someone who is interested in him and he'd accept a deal to plus can fit him in at $6 million for two more years without sending money back may be a tough needle to thread.
 

The B’s Knees

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The hurdles as I see it:
  • Hall's trade market
As far as moving Hall, I don't think they'd get a ton. This isn't specific to Hall but there isn't a lot of cap space available around the league. Given he has a 10-team no trade, we cam probably cross off the usual cap dump locations off. Finding someone who is interested in him and he'd accept a deal to plus can fit him in at $6 million for two more years without sending money back may be a tough needle to thread.
I wonder if Chicago is a possible landing spot for Hall, assuming they aren't on Hall's 10-team list?
They have tons of cap space, and they have 8 picks in the first 3 rounds of this year's draft.

Bedard will be joining a wasteland of a team with nobody of any significance there to mentor him (unless Toews gets healthy and resigns - and yes, I know he's a douchebag).
Hall is a former #1 draft pick who experienced much of the hype and expectations that come along with that status (not to Bedard's level of hype, but a lot of hype regardless).